Lack of funds, law and order delaying Railway projects: Government

NEW DELHI: Lack of funds, non-availability of land, law and order conditions and environmental clearances are causing delay in completion of Railway projects, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"Besides financial constraints, Railway projects get delayed due to delay in availability of land, forestry and other clearances, law and order conditions and contractual failures," Minister of State for Railways Bharat Singh Solanki said during Question Hour.

He said slow progress in implementation of projects has also been caused due to "continuing constraints of huge throw-forward of ongoing projects and limited availability of resources."

Solanki said the Railways has adopted Vision 2020 document under which it will work on 307 new projects focusing on network expansion, gauge conversion and doubling existing rail lines.

Presently, work is underway on laying of 122 new lines, 45 gauge conversion and 160 doubling projects," the Minister said.

"By the end of this fiscal, it is expected that 700 km new lines, 800 km gauge conversion and 700 km of doubling of tracks will be achieved," he said.

Solanki said to expedite completion of ongoing projects and to avoid cost overruns and delays, the Railways are making efforts to generate additional funds through measures which are other than Gross Budgetary Support.

To monitor and ensure that funds allocated to different projects are fully-utilised and projects are completed within time, Central Organisation for Project Implementation (COPI) will be created.

"COPI will also ensure accountability and fix responsibility for non-performance," he added.